Tag Archives: Alarms

BT Redcare, one of the UK’s largest suppliers of alarm signalling services, has revamped its portfolio of products to provide businesses and households alike with faster, smarter and easier ways of protecting premises.

The business has launched three new next generation alarm signalling products which can be used to monitor a range of risks, including physical break-ins, fire, gas leaks and flooding. A fourth product will be launched early in 2019 to complete the new portfolio.

Customers will benefit from a much faster experience end-to-end, from the installation of their new security system through to connectivity, signalling and fault reporting.

The products are also easier to use with the introduction of a new app for installers which allows for faster customer set-up, while a new app for end user customers allows them to receive notifications and alerts.

The new products have also been designed to be more environmentally friendly, requiring less energy to run and using recyclable packaging.

The products have comprehensive levels of security built-in with end-to-end encryption, while 24/7 technical support and a ten-year warranty provides customers with the high levels of reliability and reassurance they need from their alarm system.

The portfolio comprises the following new products:

Essential: This is the entry-level package which offers a fast and affordable wireless security alarm signalling system. It’s also monitored by security experts who will keep an eye on customers’ premises 24/7.

Advanced: This package comes with two signalling paths to provide twice the reassurance and is ideal for low-to-medium risk sites with the flexibility to upgrade if required.

Advanced Extra: This offers the same features as Advanced, but with even faster reporting times. If there’s a fault with the connection, the experts will be alerted in just 180 seconds.

Ultimate: This is BT Redcare’s premium product which covers every level of risk. Underpinned by resilient and future-proof IP broadband and smart 4G connections, the product boasts a built-in broadband hub and superior levels of security and reliability, with battery back-up to keep the system running even in the event of a power cut. It also has faster response times, with its enhanced monitoring capabilities alerting security experts about any connection issues within just 90 seconds.

John Ware, general manager at BT Redcare, said: “We’re introducing faster, smarter and greener ways of protecting businesses and homes underpinned by the best fixed and mobile networks in the UK. We’ve designed our next generation portfolio based on feedback from Alarm Receiving Centres, installers, insurers, businesses and homeowners. With our products meeting the very highest standards in the industry, we can provide our customers with the peace of mind they’re looking for in an alarm signalling system.”

Following the latest budget, which highlighted increased funding for terrorism prevention despite recent cutbacks in other areas of police funding, the Small Business Network (SBN) of professional security companies has highlighted an opportunity for the private security industry to support public services.

“While the Budget saw extra money for the prevention of terrorism, the selling off of other police assets and the reduction in officers on the street has made life difficult when it comes to the prevention of other criminal activity,” commented Abbey Petkar, spokesperson for the SBN and managing director of Magenta Security. “The police are doing a fantastic job with limited resources and, for our part, we are perfectly placed to support them.”

Through client contracts already in existence, security companies across the UK can deliver for their clients while working in partnership with local police forces to spot and stop criminal behaviour.

Abbey Petkar

“Whether it be a CCTV supplier, an alarm company or security officers, the industry is already working to prevent criminal activity. We are on the look-out for vulnerabilities in the community that could affect clients as well as opportunists looking to make the most of any situation. A closer working relationship with the police can only improve this,” continued Petkar. “In fact, there’s even an opportunity for those companies who have been properly certified to undertake work on behalf of the police, supplementing their forces and needs as appropriate.”

Ultimately, the SBN believes the current challenges faced by police forces across the country are an opportunity for the security sector. The Security Industry Authority’s ongoing desire to improve quality in the sector means the companies exist with the requisite skills and oversight to support public services in a professional and cohesive way. The SBN fundamentally believes that public security should not just be the responsibility of the police. Instead, everyone should do their part, working together to ensure safety for all.

With a strong emphasis on the development of technical innovation and design, CCTV specialist 360 Vision Technology has forged close working partnerships with an array of technology leaders to enable deep systems integration across a wide range of solutions suitable for a host of surveillance applications.

A long list of leading UK and international technology companies enjoy a close working relationship with 360 Vision Technology, some of them for over 20 years now. Always, the driving factor in these relationships is 360 Vision’s commitment to deliver innovative high-performance CCTV camera solutions that provide no boundaries to deployment with third party manufacturers’ equipment.

Over many years, 360 Vision has developed a reputation for delivering innovation and usable functionality in its thermal imaging cameras, award-winning radar controlled video surveillance solutions and for its Sirius integrated LED white light and infrared lighting.

Commenting on 360 Vision’s commitment to reliability, Mark Rees (the newly-appointed managing director of the business) said: “Right from the design stage of any new product, our R&D team aims to ensure 360 Vision cameras are the simplest to commission and best performing in their sector. Close working partnerships with like-minded systems manufacturers helps us to achieve that goal.”

Working partnerships with 360 Vision enable preferred technical partners from across the security industry to have a close hand in the development of the functionality of 360 Vision’s cameras. With deep third party integration to 360 Vision’s range of cameras, end users can be guaranteed the best possible surveillance imagery, the simplest set-up and seamless, intuitive control as well as numerous desirable performance benefits.

“Many of our technical partners proactively demonstrate 360 Vision cameras at our Resource Centre,” stated Rees. “Here, customers are able to experience and evaluate proposed end-to-end system configurations in action. This supports them in making an informed decision on their choice of specification for installation projects.”

Thanks to the ongoing technical partnership between 360 Vision and selected technology manufacturers, simple product set-up, deep systems integration and performance benefits are built-in to various applications and sizes of CCTV installations across the globe. Through these long term technical partnerships, 360 Vision Technology is not only ensuring installers and end users can enjoy a fully-integrated and hassle-free systems control experience, but also promotes to the wider world the benefits to be gained by specifying ‘Best of British’ integrated surveillance solutions.

Vanderbilt, the state-of-the-art security systems specialist, will showcase the latest version of ACT Enterprise at Security Essen 2018. Along with demonstrations of the access control software solution, visitors to Security Essen can explore the full range of products that Vanderbilt has to offer at Stand 6D90, with a significant focus on increased integration across the company’s products and, indeed, with third party systems.

The latest ACT Enterprise features – which include integration with Vanderbilt’s award-winning SPC intrusion system, a rules mapping engine and a smart phone app – were previewed at IFSEC International in June and received a wave of positive feedback from visitors to the show at ExCeL.

“Our ACT Enterprise Apple and Android compatible apps mean real-time monitoring, user management and administration from your smart phone,” stated Andrew Fulton, head of the access control product line at Vanderbilt. “You can enable and disable alarms, lock and unlock doors, authorise users and check who’s in and who’s out from wherever you are. Security has never been more convenient, and you’ve never been more in control.”

Rules mapping

One of the key features is the ease-of-use and simplicity of ACT Enterprise’s rules mapping to enable advanced configurations of various system inputs and outputs across the access control system, as well as integrated video and intruder elements of an integrated system.

Michael Moyna, technical product marketing manager at Vanderbilt, observed: “The use of rules mapping simplifies the implementation of more complex events/alarms and associated actions for the installer/integrator by permitting the creation of logical relationships between system elements via a drag-and-drop interface. For the end user, the addition of rules mapping ensures that system interactions can be seamlessly introduced on a system-wide basis, thus enabling a higher level of added value to be realised, both for security and business-based functionalities.”

Integration will continue to be a priority, with a significant focus being placed on technology partnerships that enhance Vanderbilt’s functionality and reach in the market. On top of ACT Enterprise’s integration with SPC, the solution now also integrates with ASSA Abloy’s Aperio wireless components.

In addition, the much-touted SPC-Milestone plug-in will be on display. This plug-in enables users to control SPC from within the Milestone system. The plug-in is aimed at improving the customer experience by providing a bi-directional communication strategy with the enhancement of a robust surveillance solution in line with the ethos of ‘the customer first’. The SPC Milestone plug-in features options such as filters for event transmissions and remote interaction based on customisable command profile, while ATS/ATP logs offer transparent communication.

New wireless devices

Vanderbilt’s newly-released SPC Wireless devices, which include detectors, panic buttons, fobs and a transceiver, will also be on show at Security Essen. The devices feature sleek and modern lines to complement the interior styles of many environments, such as retail stores. This range of products was designed in response to growing consumer Internet of Things trends and, as a result, presents a significant revenue opportunity for installers in boosting their SPC portfolio offering.

“Installs for Vanderbilt’s SPC Wireless devices were designed to be hassle-free,” explained Ross Wilks, head of marketing communications at Vanderbilt. “In contrast, a wired solution can take, at a minimum, a day’s work when it comes to fitting cable. By reducing time on site, Vanderbilt’s SPC Wireless can enable installers to get more work done elsewhere, essentially meaning more profits from more jobs.”

Vanderbilt will also be sharing its expertise in Software-as-a-Service solutions, with ‘How To’ demonstrations on ways that installers can derive the most out of the company’s award-winning solutions, namely ACT365 and SPC Connect.

Advanced has launched a new guide to fire protection for historic and heritage sites, which present unique challenges for end users, specifiers and installers.

The brochure is designed to help key stakeholders understand some of the solutions available for the challenges they face. It addresses many common problems in ensuring adequate active fire protection, tackling the challenges of minimising aesthetic impact, quick and safe evacuation and eliminating unwanted alarms.

Advanced’s systems protect some of the most famous, valuable and most visited sites, among them Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Durham Cathedral, The Magna Carta at Lincoln Castle, Iona Abbey, the Natural History Museum in central London and the Trinity Episcopal Church that’s located in Rhode Island.

Aston Bowles, head of marketing at Advanced, said: “Historic structures present unique challenges for the fire systems industry, but innovation is delivering significant choice and performance gains for end users, specifiers and responsible people in the sector. The new brochure aims to offer insight into the sector and the solutions that can be used.”

Webeye has announced that Honeywell brand Videofied will offer the webeyeCMS cloud alarm service as part of its global portfolio. The award-winning webeyeCMS platform, which is integrated with the Videofied alarm system, provides both commercial and residential properties with protection and includes a CMS browser and mobile app for either iPhone or Android platforms.

In the initial stages, Videofied will offer a commercial solution incorporating both Videofied hardware and the cloud service to niche sectors like the guarding market.

Videofied will promote the entire solution globally, concentrating particularly on regions outside of those already serviced by Webeye, and has agreed to assist Webeye to penetrate markets where the business already has a presence. Later plans include a residential offering and multi-language support.

Patrice Colas, sales director at Honeywell Homes, said: “The Webeye alarm service has eight years of proven reliability and this, combined with our own Videofied alarm systems, offers a powerful and unique proposition to many markets.”

Clive Mason, managing director of Webeye, responded: “We’re honoured to have Honeywell Homes as one of our key partners and look forward to a close working relationship that offers our clients a world-beating solution.”

Harper Chalice has announced that its range of perimeter security systems are now able to fully integrate with the Genesys Physical Security Information Management (PSIM) manufactured by Intergrated Security Manufacturing (ISM).

Genesys is the culmination of thousands of man-hours, engineering excellence and patent-approved application. It’s a fully-integrated PSIM system capable of integrating multiple solutions. Interoperability is enabled from one holistic platform. Genesys encompasses high levels of functionality, exceptional ease of use, graceful redundancy and advanced alarm handling.

The Genesys system works on a network of Windows 7 or Windows 10-compatible PC workstations. These have overall control of all electronic security systems installed at each site.

The Genesys System integrates Harper Chalice’s network system, namely SecureBus. The integration allows for centralised monitoring and control of all of the perimeter intrusion detection systems in the latter’s range.

The SecureBus network not only provides complete control and monitoring of the systems in the field, but also affords live system feedback and the ability to adjust alarm settings and thresholds. This provides better management of the overall security systems as well as helping to reduce maintenance costs through proactive management of the systems.

Harper Chalice’s managing director Chris Hackett said: “This integration is another example of the developments we’re making to our systems. We’re moving forward with integration partnerships to provide our customers with improved functionality and system performance.”

Hackett added: “Understanding that our clients have to consider not only capital cost of the systems, but also the full life costs, we’re continually looking at ways in which to minimise these costs, while also increasing the value added in our overall solutions.”

Stephen Smith, ISM’s managing director, responded: “We’re very pleased to add Harper Chalice integration into our Genesys integrated security management platform, allowing high levels of integration and control from this excellent technology. It has been a pleasure working with Chris and his team to provide a comprehensive integration. It’s always refreshing when the protocol is well documented and offers high levels of control to provide the end user with an excellent and comprehensive experience.”